In SXSW Panel on Sanctuary Cities, Reexamining Use of Technology Is a Must

SXSW is full of conversations about the potential impacts of data and technology, from Ta-Nehisi Coates on the pitfalls of social media to the Oasis of Ready Player One. But at “Redefining Sanctuary Cities,” panelists focused on a different possibility for data: how to understand and stop the harm that biased technology, often developed by historically prejudiced police forces, has caused to immigrants and other marginalized communities. “When you begin to connect immigration so directly with criminal justice, you should expect to have the impact disproportionately influence people of color today,” said Brion Oaks, chief equity officer for the City of Austin. In his role, which didn’t exist before he started in October 2017, Oaks works to provide leadership and guidance to promote racial equity in the city, often…View Original Post